Point Beach Candidates Talk Finances

Below, please find the candidate's answers to questions sent by Patch about the upcoming election.

Name:  Thomas Vogel

Education:     Point Pleasant Beach High School – Class of 1988

        Rider University – BS - Finance

Number of years lived in Point:  39 years

Occupation: Head of Underwriting – Rumson-Fair Haven Bank

Family:  Julia 11, Kate 9 and Quinn 7

Public Service:    Borough of Point Pleasant Beach – Council member 2002 – 2003, Mayor 2004 - 2007, Ocean Fire Company #1, 26 years, Life member & Past Chief of Department, American Cancer Society, Jersey Shore Region – President of Board of Advisors

        Trustee – Point Pleasant Beach Public Education Foundation

        Trustee – Ocean County Mayor’s Association

        Past-Active member – Point Pleasant First Aid Squad

Have served as a coach for the Point Pleasant Beach Little League and Point Pleasant Beach Recreation Basketball

Former Trustee – Point Pleasant Library Association

As someone who has spent the majority of his life residing on the east side of the tracks in Point Pleasant Beach, I recognize how critical it is for our property owners to be able to rebuild their damaged properties with as few impediments as possible.  We must all remember that those damaged by the flood did not choose to rebuild but had this circumstance thrust upon them.  They are now bombarded with making a variety of decisions that will affect them, personally, as well as the future character of our town.  Our land use regulations must meet the challenges of today and tomorrow.  We must all recognize how essential it is expedite the elimination of vacant houses, reducing safety risks and restoring the appearance of our town and our property tax base to what it was pre-Sandy.  There must be solid financial control over the town budget to deliver necessary services to our taxpayers in a fiscally responsible manner.  Our local government needs to be more efficient and cost-effective, while maintaining excellent customer service.

Having previously served for six years on the Governing Body, I have a working knowledge of the responsibilities and process.  I have also maintained a strong working relationship with elected officials in other communities, as well as at county and state levels, which will be helpful on projects were we need to work in a collaborative manner.  I can build upon my professional work experiences, bringing current best practices and ideas to the table.  While government functions differently than the private sector in many ways, there are many successful private sector practices which can be modified for use in local government.   The survival of a small town like Point Pleasant Beach requires volunteer efforts by those in our community beyond the scope that our municipal budget can afford.  Community service has always been an important part of my life, and I am raising my children to similarly appreciate the importance of giving back to one’s community through participation.   I believe that our elected officials need to have experience beyond politics and political appointments in order to fully appreciate what is needed from them to properly represent the people of Point Pleasant Beach.  

Name:  Tom Toohey

Education:   BA Political Science/Economics (Salve Regina University), PBTC Secondary Social Studies and Special Education (Georgian Court), MA Urban Educational leadership and Supervision (New Jersey City University)

Number of years lived in Point Pleasant Beach:  24 years total

Occupation:  Tri District Supervisor of Special Education,

Family:   Wife:   Suzanne;  Children:  Sons, Abe (age 2) and Beau (age 5 months)

Public Service: Volunteer and fundraising work with Parents of Autistic Children, Board of Directors for Shore Center for Students with Autism, Volunteer recovery work (Irene and Sandy).

We must stabilize property taxes and ensure that future municipal budgets stay within the 2% budget cap to minimize bonding.  Our Moody’s rating recently dropped, making municipal bonding more complicated than in previous years.  We must strive to reduce government red tape to help people get back into their Sandy-damaged properties, to help those who have been displaced and to help stabilize our property tax base.  Too many residents remain in limbo more than one year after Hurricane Sandy.

I have experience working with and managing a multi-million dollar budget.  I have also started two private businesses.  I have a degree in Economics as well as multiple other degrees. I believe that my achievements demonstrate that I have the ability to develop a vision and execute it.  I enjoy fishing and surfing, so that I enjoy many of the natural assets that living in Point Pleasant Beach has to offer.   I am committed to ensuring the future well-being of Point Pleasant Beach because I am the third-generation of my family to live here and because I am currently raising the fourth-generation of my family here.   I recognize that the town continues to survive through the civic-minded actions of its residents, both new residents and long-standing ones.   I am grateful to my wife for serving as our Campaign Manager during this campaign, and know that she will support me, in whatever way necessary, if I am elected to office.

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Name: Thomas H. Davis        

Education: BS: Liberal Arts and Geography, Oregon State University 1983

Number of years lived in Point: 5

Occupation: Environmental Consultant

Family: Lots! Blended Family with seven children

Public Service: Town Appointments: Environmental Commission, Planning Board and Board of Adjustment.  General: Frequent participant and organizer of various volunteer efforts.

I have been a vocal advocate for the long term vision of Point Pleasant Beach. That applies to our financial health, our infrastructure and the preservation of our quality of life. While running last year as an Independent I was expressing my concerns about our long term financial condition and our need to correct zoning regulations when no one, either on council or running seemed to be interested.  Hurricane Sandy has placed and exclamation point on that discussion. Dave Cavagnaro and I aren’t waiting to get on council to get busy, we have been involved for years.  We have been able identified alternative sources of revenue and efficiencies that can be implemented quickly, not because we are waiting to take a look, but because we already know where these items exist.  My back ground in environmental consulting will help us to get derelict properties back on the tax rolls, and find efficiencies in our waste disposal cost by increasing recycling efforts to reduce tipping fees.  Good government doesn’t happen by luck or hope, it requires experience, vision and the willingness to work hard.  Dave Cavagnaro and I have these skills and the proven ability to work with others without being combative or disrespectful. We ask for your support on November 5th.  Davis and Cavagnaro, Column B.